Friday, April 14, 2017
Sunday, April 9, 2017
Meeting agenda and composting class
Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, the 11th of April, at 7 p.m. in Camden Grange.
We have another of our famed mini-class symposiums, with the following speakers and topics: Jane Bolz will talk about her rodent (gopher, mole, vole) defeating, alternative raised beds; Steve Byars will talk about the relatively new seed starting method of "Wintersown" seeds; Kevin Miller and Su Chism will talk about the possible gardening uses of surplus mini-totes (or super sacks); and I will have a short demonstration of fruit tree pruning techniques (complete with volunteer tree!).
Club members are asked to bring to the meeting some of their favorite snacks/desserts, unwanted seeds or plants, and those dratted duplicate seed company catalogs.
Club blogmeister Su Chism is offering club members LOTS of drywall scraps and chunks, for those of you who want to use the product in your garden soil. I researched the subject of adding drywall/wallboard/sheetrock to soil, and found that (as usual, these days), there is ambivalence (meaning "good" vs. "bad"). Some knowledgeable folks say that drywall breaks up clay and heavy soil, and is therefore good, while other knowledgeable folks say that drywall adds nothing useful. Your mileage may vary, though you will still have to run the drywall through a chipper/shredder or under a rototiller.
For those who want some additional information on the subject, you may find University of Wisconsin bulletin A3782, "Using recycled wallboard for crop production", written by Richard Wolkowski, here.
Finally, the Master Gardeners of Pend Oreille County will offer a class, "The Soil Food Web and Composting", with Spokane County Master Gardener Ryan Herring, on the 13th of April, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the Extension Office (227 S. Garden Ave.) in Newport. The class will focus on the soil web, and discuss what steps you can take to start improving your garden soil – a hands-on "building a compost pile" activity will take place in the second half of the class, so bring work gloves, and dress appropriately for outdoor activities. Cost for the class is $5 per person for the public, and you can bring a friend or neighbor for just $2 more. You can register for the class by calling the Extension Office at 509-447-2401.
jim
Friday, March 24, 2017
Weeding between the lines
By Jim McGinty
Spring is officially here, but it’s still a tad early to bet your tomatoe plants on overnight temperatures.
The garden area here at Rancho McGinty is finally snow-free, and farm hand Pat and I can almost walk around out there without the mud suctioning off our boot soles and heels.
We did check on our Winter 2016-2017 experiment, for which we left some cold-weather hardy veggies in the ground, just to see how they would survive our -17 degree Fahrenheit temperatures: the kale plants look great, with intact 2016 leaves, and new sprouts already showing. All the other plants are brown mush: chard, broccoli, onions, Brussels sprouts, and even the parsley – lesson learned.
We did just plant some lettuce (“La Chuga”) seedlings in one of our raised beds (the soil temperatures in the raised bed are significantly warmer than in the surrounding open garden, and the plants are protected from a light freeze by two layers of heavy grade row cover), but only because we ran out of room in the plant nursery. I do plan to seed in some radishes in the same raised bed soon, as the supermarket radishes we bought for tonight’s dinner tasted like Styrofoam.
Out in the orchard, it will soon be time to dormant spray the fruit trees, just as soon as we have a couple of nights clear of frost. I plan to prune the trees this coming weekend, as the fruit and leaf buds are starting to show that fuzzy look, and because fruit tree grafting time is upon us.
If you have woodstove ashes from our decade-long winter, you could lightly sprinkle them around your fruit trees and bushes – the potash will produce more and better fruit.
Speaking of chores, now is the right time to plant or transplant all those fruit bushes and trees that survived winter – provided you can dig a hole through the still-frozen dirt.
As daytime temperatures continue (!) to rise, you will want to pull back any mulch layers from your over-wintered crops (garlic, etc.) and fruit bushes (blueberries, etc.) – just wait until the mulch has warmed and dried.
If you are growing rhubarb, now is a good time to use your sharpened shovel (you did sharpen your garden tools during those pre-spring days??!!) to chop out a quarter of the root (which can be separated and potted up for more rhubarb plants), and fill the hole with rotted manure. Your rhubarb plant will reward you with larger leaves and tastier stalks.
Provided your compost pile/container has thawed, it’s time to add some fresh manure, and then turn and water all those mostly-dormant bacteria and creatures, so they can produce some of that “black gold” compost for your spring gardening adventures.
Those brown berry canes from last summer are prime targets for your sharp (!) pruning shears – just be sure to leave the new green or purple fruiting canes for this year’s harvest – I predict blackberry milkshakes in my future! Remember to burn or otherwise destroy all those brown canes, as they may be harboring over-wintering enemy insects.
If this is the year you add aged manure to your garden (two year rotation – manure in 2017, no manure in 2018), now is a great time to spread it around – no doubt your non-gardening friends have been complaining for years that you spread it around pretty thick anyway?
GARDEN CALENDAR
On the 11th of April, our local gardening club will meet in Camden Grange at 7 p.m. for an evening of mini-classes and snacks and general socializing, albeit with a growing-food theme. Next month, we hope to start our garden tours, but for this month, we’ll stay indoors where it’s both warm and fun. You can check on our club’s activities, and read gardening tips and tales here on the blog. And feel free to contribute your articles, photos and garden news! Email items to Su at 1936school@gmail.com for posting.
On the 20th of April, our neighborhood beekeeping friends (the Backyard Beekeepers Association) will meet in the Deer Park Senior Center (316 E. Crawford, Deer Park) at 7 p.m. for another session of information, classes, and congeniality – for more information, you can visit their website at www.backyard-beekeepers.org.
On the 26th of April, I will teach a class on renovating old apple trees, in the Newport College Center (1204 W.Fifth Street, Newport) from 6-8 p.m. We will talk about how to bring all those abandoned apple trees back into production – heirloom apples are SO much better tasting than anything in the supermarkets.
You can obtain more details, or register for the class by calling 800-845-3324, or you can do the same on-line at www.sccel.spokane.edu/Act2.
On the 29th of April, those perky, praiseworthy plant huggers, the Pend Oreille County Master Gardeners, will hold their annual Spring Plant Sale at Stratton Elementary School (1201 W. Fifth St., Newport) from 9 a.m. to noon. Lots of plants, good prices, and knowledgeable advice from people who actually know what they’re doing in the garden – buy lots (of plants, NOT Master Gardeners)!
That’s it for now – see you out in the garden.
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Mid-March notes
Club member Kevin Miller has a bunch of "mini-totes" for free distribution to experimenting gardeners (that would be ALL of us!). The woven-poly fabric cubes are 48" x 48" x 48," and normally hold about 1000# of potatoes. Club member Steve Byars plans to grow potatoes in his totes, using the "add a layer of dirt and straw every time you see six inches of green potato growth" method. Steve will use his tractor to tip over his potato-filled totes in August when the vines die - maybe the club membership will want to be there for the unveiling. If you are interested in obtaining one or more of these totes, let me know, and we'll arrange it.
Junior club member Rylan (grandson of club member Diane Lukas, and son of club member Sarah Thibodeau) is currently unbelted, as he lost his favorite brown belt at the March club meeting in Camden Grange. If you have seen or know the whereabouts of Rylan's missing belt, please call me with rescue details.
Speaking of the March meeting, members once again asked if the club will be operating a booth at the 2017 Garden Expo in May, and answer is NO - the Expo filing fee date for this year has come and gone. I DO recommend you add the event to your MUST ATTEND calendar: May 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., located at Spokane Community College (1810 N. Greene St.). More than 200 vendors with thousands of plants, tools, garden art, food booths, and much more – free entrance and parking, but be sure to bring a wagon and some money!
jim
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
It's garden club meeting time again!
Hello all you frustrated gardeners. Even though we can't get into our gardens yet (at least most of us can't) we can still share our dreams of this year's abundant flowers and veggies at the Elk-Camden Garden Keepers meeting TODAY, March 14, 7 p.m., at the Camden Grange. It is a little early for touring but I think you will enjoy a demonstration by member Sandy Coehlo on do-it-yourself soil block makers. Sandy decided buying a soil block maker wasn't in their family budget but wanted to use one anyway so she just made her own. She will share her story and her method just in time to start seeds for some of us.
Also, Pat and I will share a slide presentation on season extension as a way of dealing with some of the challenges of gardening in the good old Pacific Northwest.
Two presentations and a chance to gripe about the weather and exceeding long winter. What more could you ask? See you tomorrow.
Jim
Monday, March 6, 2017
A couple of notes for impatient gardeners
On the 11th of March, the Inland Northwest Food Network will host a seed swap at the Coeur d'Alene library (702 E. Front St., CDA) from 1-3 p.m. The focus in on heirloom, open-pollinated plants, so home-grown and purchased seeds will be available for swap – local seed-saving experts will be on hand to explain how to save your seeds from the 2017 garden, and there is a suggested $5 donation – "suggested" is the operative word.
Our first club meeting for 2017 is scheduled for the 14th of March, at 7 p.m. in the Camden Grange. We will all commiserate over the long, still-ongoing winter, and watch a slide show on garden season extension techniques – start early, grow strong, and hang on!
On the 19th of March, the Sustainable Preparedness Expo will be held at Priest River Junior High School from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and will offer classes on off-grid power supplies, winter gardening in North Idaho, long-term fuel storage, and much more. Entry and parking are free, door prizes will be offered, and vendors of appropriate stuff will be numerous. Pat and I have attended a couple of these expos and they are usually both fun and informative – plus they are free, so bring some friends.
On the 19th of March, the Sustainable Preparedness Expo will be held at Priest River Junior High School from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and will offer classes on off-grid power supplies, winter gardening in North Idaho, long-term fuel storage, and much more. Entry and parking are free, door prizes will be offered, and vendors of appropriate stuff will be numerous. Pat and I have attended a couple of these expos and they are usually both fun and informative – plus they are free, so bring some friends.
jim
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Weeding between the lines
By Jim McGinty
Yes, I know it’s still cold outside, and I do know that there are still twenty inches of rotting snow and ice out there, but it’s still time to plan for this year’s “Most Successful Garden Ever!” – keep this phrase in mind for use in October 2017.
Now is the time to think about what you want to eat, plant, and save in this year’s garden: garden-partner Pat and I planted Brussels sprouts last year (for the first time in decades), and ended up feeding the aphid-infested sprouts to the chickens, and the two-foot tall stalks became chew toys for Buster the Wonder Dog. We’re still learning how to successfully grow Brussels sprouts, as we are planning to grow them again this year (we’re either eager learners, or garden masochists), with some modifications to our techniques. And that’s the thing with gardeners: we learn from our mistakes, improve what we do, and pass along that knowledge to other gardening folks – I have never met a “real” gardener who hides their plant-based errors, or who refuses to share solutions.
After determining what you want to grow, eat, and save in the garden, please order your seeds SOON! Last year was not a great year (again) for the folks who grow crops just for the seed companies (lots of crop failures), so the supply of seeds (especially for the heirloom, self-pollinating, heritage, organic seeds) is finite and quite small.
If you plan to buy plant starts from your local farmers’ market professional, now is a great time to call them (you DID remember to ask for their farm business card last summer, right!!??), and see what they plan to grow, and maybe mention that you might like to try a new variety of an old favorite, maybe something you noted in a 2017 seed catalog, or heard about during the last meeting of the local garden club.
If you start your garden plants indoors from seeds, this is the time to begin the journey for all those cool-weather crops: egg plant, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, leeks, onions, lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, kale, chard, endive, parsley, etc. Longer-growing plants such as tomatoes and peppers can be started now, as well – hopefully, by the time the warm-weather plants are ready to transplant out into the open garden, the open garden will be ready for them!
Towards the end of March, your orchard will be calling your name, asking for limb pruning, dormant spraying, and an application of aged manure and wood ashes (the potash in wood ashes will pump up the quality and quantity of green leaves and blossoms on fruit trees).
If you have established rhubarb plants, and want more rhubarb this year, apply a shovelful of aged manure under all those 2016 leaves, and then cover the plant with a half-barrel or other sturdy tub, for an early spring crop.
GARDENING CALENDAR
On the 1st of March, those charming crop cultivators, the Master Gardeners of Pend Oreille County, will offer a class on starting, growing, maintaining, harvesting, and processing tomatoes, just tomatoes, at the Camus Center (1981 LeClerc Road, Cusick) from 6-8 p.m. The class is free, and you can call the WSU Extension Office in Newport (509-447-2401) for details and to register.
On the 11th of March, those same Master Gardeners will offer a class on landscaping with native plants, and how to propagate same: the class will be held in the WSU Extension Office (227 S. Garden Ave., Newport) from 10-11:30 a.m. and will cost $5 per person. Seating is limited, as the propagation part of the class is a hands-on experience, so call now to register for the class: for the class, you will need to wear gardening clothes, and bring gloves and pruning shears.
On the 14th of March, our local garden club will meet for the first time this year (YAY!), in Camden Grange (21 Elk-Camden Road, Elk), from 7-9 p.m. We’ll watch a slideshow on how to extend our growing season, using various techniques and tools, and we’ll discuss what we want to do in our gardens this year, and we’ll undoubtedly all whine about the soon-to-be-previous winter. You can obtain more information on the club and our March meeting right here.
On the 15th of March, I will teach a class on (appropriately enough) fruit-tree pruning, at the Newport College Center (1204 W.Fifth Ave., Newport), from 6-8 p.m. We’ll talk about the basics: when, how, and why to prune, with an eye to higher quality, more numerous fruit. You can obtain more information on the class by calling 800-845-3324, or you register on-line at www.sccel.spokane.edu/ACT2
That’s it for now – it’s time to check on the baby pepperoncini and lettuce plants – their leaves are looking a little pale, but then so am I – it’s been a long winter, and the sunshine is calling MY name.
Yes, I know it’s still cold outside, and I do know that there are still twenty inches of rotting snow and ice out there, but it’s still time to plan for this year’s “Most Successful Garden Ever!” – keep this phrase in mind for use in October 2017.
Now is the time to think about what you want to eat, plant, and save in this year’s garden: garden-partner Pat and I planted Brussels sprouts last year (for the first time in decades), and ended up feeding the aphid-infested sprouts to the chickens, and the two-foot tall stalks became chew toys for Buster the Wonder Dog. We’re still learning how to successfully grow Brussels sprouts, as we are planning to grow them again this year (we’re either eager learners, or garden masochists), with some modifications to our techniques. And that’s the thing with gardeners: we learn from our mistakes, improve what we do, and pass along that knowledge to other gardening folks – I have never met a “real” gardener who hides their plant-based errors, or who refuses to share solutions.
After determining what you want to grow, eat, and save in the garden, please order your seeds SOON! Last year was not a great year (again) for the folks who grow crops just for the seed companies (lots of crop failures), so the supply of seeds (especially for the heirloom, self-pollinating, heritage, organic seeds) is finite and quite small.
If you plan to buy plant starts from your local farmers’ market professional, now is a great time to call them (you DID remember to ask for their farm business card last summer, right!!??), and see what they plan to grow, and maybe mention that you might like to try a new variety of an old favorite, maybe something you noted in a 2017 seed catalog, or heard about during the last meeting of the local garden club.
If you start your garden plants indoors from seeds, this is the time to begin the journey for all those cool-weather crops: egg plant, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, leeks, onions, lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, kale, chard, endive, parsley, etc. Longer-growing plants such as tomatoes and peppers can be started now, as well – hopefully, by the time the warm-weather plants are ready to transplant out into the open garden, the open garden will be ready for them!
Towards the end of March, your orchard will be calling your name, asking for limb pruning, dormant spraying, and an application of aged manure and wood ashes (the potash in wood ashes will pump up the quality and quantity of green leaves and blossoms on fruit trees).
If you have established rhubarb plants, and want more rhubarb this year, apply a shovelful of aged manure under all those 2016 leaves, and then cover the plant with a half-barrel or other sturdy tub, for an early spring crop.
GARDENING CALENDAR
On the 1st of March, those charming crop cultivators, the Master Gardeners of Pend Oreille County, will offer a class on starting, growing, maintaining, harvesting, and processing tomatoes, just tomatoes, at the Camus Center (1981 LeClerc Road, Cusick) from 6-8 p.m. The class is free, and you can call the WSU Extension Office in Newport (509-447-2401) for details and to register.
On the 11th of March, those same Master Gardeners will offer a class on landscaping with native plants, and how to propagate same: the class will be held in the WSU Extension Office (227 S. Garden Ave., Newport) from 10-11:30 a.m. and will cost $5 per person. Seating is limited, as the propagation part of the class is a hands-on experience, so call now to register for the class: for the class, you will need to wear gardening clothes, and bring gloves and pruning shears.
On the 14th of March, our local garden club will meet for the first time this year (YAY!), in Camden Grange (21 Elk-Camden Road, Elk), from 7-9 p.m. We’ll watch a slideshow on how to extend our growing season, using various techniques and tools, and we’ll discuss what we want to do in our gardens this year, and we’ll undoubtedly all whine about the soon-to-be-previous winter. You can obtain more information on the club and our March meeting right here.
On the 15th of March, I will teach a class on (appropriately enough) fruit-tree pruning, at the Newport College Center (1204 W.Fifth Ave., Newport), from 6-8 p.m. We’ll talk about the basics: when, how, and why to prune, with an eye to higher quality, more numerous fruit. You can obtain more information on the class by calling 800-845-3324, or you register on-line at www.sccel.spokane.edu/ACT2
That’s it for now – it’s time to check on the baby pepperoncini and lettuce plants – their leaves are looking a little pale, but then so am I – it’s been a long winter, and the sunshine is calling MY name.
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